Bausch + Lomb launches Blink NutriTears for dry eye

Just over a month after Bausch + Lomb Corporation reported statistically significant data supporting Blink NutriTears—its newest product offering—for dry eye disease (DED), the company has officially launched the novel supplement.

Let’s start with some background.

First things first: We’ll begin with the Blink brand.

Originally developed by Johnson & Johnson Vision, the Blink product line of eye and contact lens drops was acquired by B+L via an affiliate in July 2023. Our coverage here.

Their uniqueness: The drops are formulated to provide long-lasting symptom relief of burning, irritation, and discomfort due to dry eyes caused by exposure to wind or sun by restoring eye tears’ natural salt balance.

How many products are in the original Blink line?

Six, including both eye drops and contact lens rewetting drops:

And what does this have to do with the new supplement?

The supplement expands the Blink product line beyond just eye drops and adds to the company’s already robust (and growing) dry eye portfolio:

MIEBO (perfluorohexyloctane ophthalmic solution)
- FDA-approved in May 2023 as the first and only DED treatment directly targeting tear evaporation
Xiidra (lifitegrast ophthalmic solution) 5%
- Targets inflammation
- FDA-approved in 2016
  - Acquired from Novartis in June 2023

Gotcha. Now tell me more about Blink NutriTears.

The daily nutritional supplement is a (670 mg) softgel capsule developed with a proprietary blend of ingredients that have been found to target dry eye symptoms:

Lutein
- Contains anti-inflammatory effects in corneal or retina-related cells
Zeaxanthin isomers
- Similar to lutein, works as a filter to protect the macula from blue light; a structurally-bound antioxidant to protect surrounding ocular cells against oxidative stress
Curcumin
- Restores ocular surface balance; reduces eye redness and DED symptoms; inhibits the expression of proinflammatory cytokines
Vitamin D3
- Improves ocular surface hemostasis parameters for better tear stability and tear osmolarity; modulates immune and inflammatory response

What’s the recommended dosage?

One capsule a day!

And what is it intended to treat?

The key root causes of dry eye—plus promote healthy tear production.

According to the company, patients should have noticeable relief in their dry eye symptoms anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks after initial use.

Weren’t there clinical findings on it?

Yes! Two clinical studies were conducted; of those, data from one study was reported in April 2024.

The study: A prospective randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled study evaluated 155 participants (diagnosed with mild dry eye symptoms; aged 18-65; median age of 42).

The setup: Patients were randomized to be given either the NutriTears supplement (n = 77) or a placebo capsule of soybean oil (n = 78)
The duration: Once per day in the morning for 56 days (eight weeks)
- Note: Study involved a 7-day screening period, 56-day treatment period, and an end-of-study visit at 56 + 3 days
  - Follow-up: Visits were conducted at days 14, 28, and 56
    - Also: Artificial tear use was captured during this time

And those findings?

First: The primary endpoints included:

Change in tear production
Change in participant reports of dry eye symptoms

And the findings: The study met both primary outcomes, with NutriTears patients demonstrating “significant improvements in tear production, as measured by change in Schirmer’s test scores from baseline compared to placebo to day 56 (p<0.001 for both).”

Plus: Participants’ ocular surface index (OSDI) scores “significantly improved for participants consuming the daily NutriTears versus placebo, (p<0.05 for all) by day 14” and maintained through day 56.

What else?

First: Secondary endpoints were:

Tear break-up time (TBUT)
A standard patient evaluation of eye dryness (SPEED)
Corneal and conjunctival staining
Tear osmolarity
Presence of MMP-9

The findings: By day 56, significant improvements were noted for the NutriTears group in:

Ocular surface staining
Patient-reported dry eye symptoms
Inflammatory marker MMP-9
TBUT and tear osmolarity (vs placebo [p<0.001])

See here for more findings, including significant improvements in inflammation and corneal and conjunctival staining.

Any adverse effects to be aware of?

While no serious adverse events (AEs) were noted, two were reported—and only one associated with supplement use: increased nasal bleeding.

Gotcha. So do patients need a prescription for this?

According to B+L, nope. All Blink products are available over-the-counter (OTC) at most major retailers or online.

Nice! So what’s the cost of the NutriTears supplement?

The supplement clocks in at $29.99 (plus tax) for a one-time purchase or $26.99 (plus tax) as a 40-day subscription. Shipping is free.

Note: Each bottle contains 50 softgel capsules.

And for a look at other Blink product costs, click here.